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Double Bass Just started shopping for a DB

#41
I think all of you guys should keep up the Kay-bashing, I am all for it!!

The more negative viewpoints on Kays the better.

Kay's give you STDs, Kays will cause you serious injury!! Women hate guys who play Kays!!

Kays are BAD, MMKAY??!!!

That way, the prices will come down on them and I can start buying them up.
 
#42
I'm not Kay bashing, just becoming aware of what I've been missing for many years now that I have a new bass. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a Kay that sounds as good or plays as good as my carved LaScala. But I don't see the price of old Kays comin' down much. In fact, they seem to keep goin' up if you look at Fretwell. JMHO.
 
#43
bassplayer1960 said:
While I agree that you want to buy a d/b to play and not as an investment you may also get hooked on playing d/b and may want to upgrade someday. Given this you might want to consider Kay or Engel due to the likelihood of an easier sell. I think that it's harder to convince what may be your virtual market (i.e., ebay) that your Asian or Eastern European laminated d/b is quality and not junk without some name recognition. Collecting formerly used d/bs will take much more room than electric basses.

Good Luck

Jim

Englehardt ES 9
Rob Allen Mouse
2 Godin A4s (fretted and fretless)
old Fender Music Master
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Well, as I've said, it's a tradeoff and IMO, what you lose with a Kay or Engel isn't worth the enhanced resale probability or value. In addition, there are other laminates out there other than Asian or European imports.
 
#44
Gearhead43 said:
I think all of you guys should keep up the Kay-bashing, I am all for it!!

The more negative viewpoints on Kays the better.

Kay's give you STDs, Kays will cause you serious injury!! Women hate guys who play Kays!!

Kays are BAD, MMKAY??!!!

That way, the prices will come down on them and I can start buying them up.
Click to expand...

...but if they keep it up, the prices will stay down! :)
 
#45
tomshepp said:
I'm not Kay bashing, just becoming aware of what I've been missing for many years now that I have a new bass. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a Kay that sounds as good or plays as good as my carved LaScala. But I don't see the price of old Kays comin' down much. In fact, they seem to keep goin' up if you look at Fretwell. JMHO.
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Agreed, but your carved LaScala is hardly a fair comparison. I'd say that, IMO, you'd be hard pressed to find a Kay that "sounds as good or plays as good" as a quality, more upscale ply. The latter don't even cost much more, if any.
 
#46
I think of a Kay as primarily a bluegrass standard instrument. I see Kings, Engleharts, and a dozens of Chinese basses around Bluegrass festivals, but Kays still lead the way. I live in a rural area where seeing or playing higher quality instruments just isn't readily available. I think the OP mentioned the Kay / Englehardt line was about all he saw at the shop where he was looking. I also think the OP was just looking to compare what is available in the area. I scour the internet looking at DBs and would really like to play something "higher end" than I have, but it's just not here.

Here are my answers based on what I have managed to play over several years;

Does a 50's Kay or similar hold a good value?
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Absolutely.


In general would one be a better choice than a brand new one?
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To hold and re-sell; yes. To play; depends on music style, ability, etc, but the answer is "not necessarily"


Should I be drooling over a 1954 Kay, but I just don't know it yet?
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Only if you have a buyer ready to give you a 100% profit. Some people would be, others woudn't give it a second look. It's a matter of taste & style for sure.


Does a brand new DB require any expensive setups that would offset the cost of me just buying a nice used instrument?
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Too much "maybe" to give a firm answer. Most new instruments do need setup, but sometimes it's not a lot, therefore the cost may not be high. A nice used instrument may also need significant setup for your style!
 
#48
New instruments purchased from a real bass shop with qualified luthiers usually include a fine setup as part of the cost.
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I fully agree most will and should, and I would expect a setup on a new bass purchased from such shop, or a significant cost reduction if no setup was included. Most shops offer a basic setup included in the purchase price and then additional setup options for additional fees.

The problem is that real bass shops with qualified luthiers are few and far between. Remember what the OP said about what was available in the shop he visited? He might have some other options within driving distance of Niagra Falls, but probably not multiple options.

I'm just trying to help advise a fellow Mel Schacher fan! There are probably not many of us left. (see sevenyearsdown profile)
 
#50
sevenyearsdown said:
(tax return) + (2009 gig money) + (if I can ever sell my Jazz bass) = enough cash for a DB.

Is it bad that I'm already obsessing over an instrument that I can't even play yet?
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Hell no, seven......that's the first great sign. Just like obsessing over a beautiful woman you have yet to meet. I fell in love with the DB, at first, just from the visual aspect of it. To me, it looked very beautiful and elegant. After 50 years with it, it remains so today.
 
#51
Tim Skaggs said:
I fully agree most will and should, and I would expect a setup on a new bass purchased from such shop, or a significant cost reduction if no setup was included. Most shops offer a basic setup included in the purchase price and then additional setup options for additional fees.

The problem is that real bass shops with qualified luthiers are few and far between. Remember what the OP said about what was available in the shop he visited? He might have some other options within driving distance of Niagra Falls, but probably not multiple options.

I'm just trying to help advise a fellow Mel Schacher fan! There are probably not many of us left. (see sevenyearsdown profile)
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Real bass shops are not few and far between for the OP who lives in NY. Might he have to drive a few hours to find his love? Sure, but it would be well worth it. All the shops I'm thinking about that are within driving distance of the OP would provide a full setup.
 
#52
Bass said:
Is this the general consensus? I hadn't heard this till now. I don't understand why a laminate would last longer than a carved, or vice versa. (Mind you the consensus also says that I'm ignorant and closed minded, according to Kevin Hsieh). Would someone please provide me with an explanation.
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Instruments last a long time when their owners value them and take care of them. As an instrument passes hands from owner to owner as the decades go by, those instruments with a characteristic sound and playability, will be valued enough to be deemed worthy of costly repairs and upkeep. Those instruments that do not catch the hearts of their new owners, will not get the needed repairs or even regular maintenance to prevent new damage, and will start their decline towards ruin.

Sad day.
 
#58
A persons 'first' bass doesn't have to be his last.
So, as you get better at playing the upright, it takes a few years just to get OK, expect to out grow your first bass and buy up. It sounds like you've got a good bass store in your area because buying a decent bass already setup with good strings will save you time and money on your journey. And if you buy from him he'll give you a good price if or when you trade it back in if or when you up grade.
Take the time to go back to that shop and play all the basses, as well as you can. Eventually one of those instruments will speak to you and that's the one to buy.
Good luck
 
#59
I knew CSC was the distributor for Shen but I did not know they did any direct retail sales. John Sprague (who I used to see post here from time to time) is a CSC rep that knows about Shen - if he's still around, he's a good resource. Mostly, at this point, go see the bass and try to get it to a local luthier (or even a local double bass player you trust) and if it's in good shape and the price is right (and you're OK with a plywood bass, which I think is perfectly adequate to start on and even keep as a second instrument when you step up to a carved or hybrid bass) then you might as well pull the trigger!

Mark
 

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